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    Sarah K. Rathke

    Sarah K. Rathke

    Partner

    sarah.rathke@squirepb.com View Full Bio

    Sarah Rathke is a Chambers-ranked trial lawyer whose practice focuses on complex and high-value disputes in courts and tribunals throughout the US. Sarah has served as first-chair trial counsel in numerous disputes across industry sectors, and is frequently recognized for her courtroom skills. In 2023, Sarah was profiled in Authority Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” series and included in 2023’s Top 100 Attorneys Magazine. In 2022, she was selected by The American Lawyer as a “Midwest Trailblazer” for her work in supply chain litigation. Since 2015, she has been recognized as a Future Star by Benchmark Litigation. In 2012, she was one of three lawyers nationwide appointed to the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s (NITA) Next Generation Faculty. She has written and lectured extensively about trial practice, including for NITA, the Northeast Ohio Federal Bar Association Trial Academy and the Cleveland State University College of Law trial advocacy curriculum. Her article, “A BigLaw Ladies’ Guide to Becoming a 1st-Chair Trial Lawyer,” was awarded a 2018 Burton Award for Distinguished Writing.

    Sarah also maintains a globally recognized supply chain practice that encompasses not only litigation, but also transactional and regulatory issues across industries, including automotive, aerospace, food, medical, construction and office products. She is the co-author of the 2016 book Legal Blacksmith: How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes, which has been identified by RateLinx as among the “Must-Read Supply Chain Books Worth a Look” and reviewed as “very impressive” by Spend Matters. Sarah has been extensively quoted and published on supply chain topics, including in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Reuters and Bloomberg, and she is a frequent lecturer and speaker on supply chain issues. She is the founder and editor of the Global Supply Chain Law Blog, which maintains an extensive readership across industry sectors, and co-chairs the firm’s Supply Chain Compliance ESG focus area.

    Finally, Sarah is the US co-lead of our Sports & Entertainment Group. Sarah has long served as legal counsel to NBA star LeBron James with regard to his sports, entertainment and other business and charitable endeavors, including the well-publicized work of the LeBron James Family Foundation, a not-for-profit entity that serves more than 1,400 Akron-area students by providing them with the programs, support and mentors they need to succeed in school and beyond. Sarah has a number of other interesting clients involved in publishing and fashion as well.

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    Explore
    • First chair federal jury trial in W.D. Wisconsin, representing automobile manufacturer/distributor in a case brought by a dealership arising from the US$120 million sale of the plaintiff’s dealership group and the client’s national incentive program resulting in a complete jury verdict in the client’s favor (2024).
    • First chair jury trial representation of a nationwide moving and rental company in a fatality case alleging negligence and vicarious liability, resulting in full dismissal and termination of trial court proceedings against client after first week of trial in Lorain County, Ohio (2023).
    • First chair Ohio Board of Education hearing representation of a pro bono client whose teaching license was terminated, resulting in full reversal by the Ohio Board of Education (2023).
    • First chair jury trial representation of one of America’s largest privately owned corporations in a lawsuit alleging improper maintenance of its private air fleet and defending against a defamation counterclaim in federal court in Madison, Wisconsin, resulting in full jury verdict for client (2021).
    • First chair representation of a New York tech and fashion company in parallel lawsuits against the State of New York alleging non-payment for PPE provided during the pandemic and defending against the state’s counterclaim for improper provision of goods, resulting in a Court of Claims summary judgment ruling in the client’s favor on interpretation of the state’s contract provisions (damages portion of case ongoing) (2022).
    • First chair trial representation of a direct selling company in a lawsuit alleging breach of contract asserted by a digital marketing services company in a bench trial in federal court in San Francisco, California, resulting in a bench trial verdict for the client (2020).
    • First chair in AAA arbitration representing a municipal services provider against a breach of contract claim asserted by a former co-provider in Houston, Texas, resulting only in a nominal damages award (US$10,000) against the client following a full evidentiary hearing (2019).
    • First chair in successive bench and jury trials representing an Ohio park district against landowners claiming ownership to, and adverse possession of, land parcels slated for parkland development in Canton, Ohio, resulting in full bench and jury verdicts for the client (2017). Verdicts were upheld on appeal.
    • Second chair in a bellwether jury trial in defense of a chemicals manufacturer as part of multi-district litigation involving alleged toxic exposure in air and drinking water in federal court in Columbus, Ohio. A global settlement was reached during the fourth week of trial (2017).
    • First chair in a jury trial concerning ownership and contractual rights to mining industry invention and technology on behalf of a multinational provider of technology products and services in federal court in San Jose, California, resulting in a full jury verdict for the client (2015).
    • First chair in a three-member AAA arbitration in a four-week hearing representing an aircraft engine component supplier against a customer asserting defective design and engineering, claiming US$500 million in damages in Detroit, Michigan. The case was settled favorably at the end of the hearing (2013-2014).
    • Co-lead in an advisory jury trial in federal court in Cleveland, Ohio, on behalf of a bank holding company against an FDIC assertion that the client agreed to pay in excess of US$500 million in losses of a subsidiary bank, resulting in a total jury verdict and a subsequent bench ruling for the client (2011).
    • First chair representation of a global manufacturing services company in litigation pending in federal court in Chicago, Illinois, against a plaintiff asserting improper engineering and manufacturing services. The case was resolved after a summary judgment opinion dismissing most claims and a subsequent opinion excluding the plaintiff’s expert witness (2022).
    • Second chair in a jury trial on behalf of the LeBron James family against a local businessman alleging rights to James’s career as a sports agent in Akron, Ohio, resulting in a jury verdict for the clients (2005).

    Education

    • University of Michigan, J.D., 2001
    • Georgetown University, B.A., 1998

    Admissions

    • Ohio, 2001

    Courts

    • U.S. Dist. Ct., N. Dist. of Illinois (General Bar and Trial Bar), 2022
    • U.S. Dist. Ct., W. Dist. of Wisconsin, 2020
    • U.S. Dist. Ct., S. Dist. of Ohio, 2003
    • U.S. Dist. Ct., N. Dist. of Ohio, 2001
    • Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America 2025 for Commercial Litigation
    • Recognized by Lexology Client Choice Awards, 2024
    • Recognized by Product Liability Defence in USA Ohio Award, Client Choice Awards, 2024
    • Thompson Reuters Client Nominated Stand-Out Lawyer, 2022-2023

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    Trial Law

    • Named to The Best Lawyers in America, US, Commercial Litigation, 2024.
    • Thompson Reuters Client Nominated Stand-Out Lawyer, 2022-2023.
    • Featured, Lexology Who’s Who Legal Products Liability Defense Guide, 2023.
    • Presenter, “Addressing ESI Issues with Opposing Counsel and The Court,” DRI ESI Issues, June 27, 2023.
    • Presenter, “E-Discovery Strategies,” DRI’s Point One video series, April 2023.
    • Profiled, “Top Lawyers: Sarah Rathke of Squire Patton Boggs on the 5 Things You Need to Become a Top Lawyer in Your Specific Field of Law,” Authority Magazine, January 22, 2023.
    • Seminar Contributor, Product Liability Conference, DRI, August 19-21, 2021.
    • Author, Op-Ed, “What Would Ruth Do Now?” Cleveland.com, September 23, 2020.
    • Discussed, “Ferrellgas Sues Former ESOP Trustee GreatBanc and Houlihan Lokey, Alleging ‘Cadre of Powerful Banks,’ ‘Investment Firms’ and ‘Hedge Funds’ Plotted ‘Hostile Takeover,’” Reorg, May 5, 2020.
    • Presenter, “DRI Women in the Law Seminar,” San Diego, January 23, 2018.
    • Book Endorsement, David Berg, The Trial Lawyer (2d ed.), ABA 2018.
    • Moderator/Presenter, “A Corporate Counsel’s Toolbox for Managing Privileged Communications,” Association of Corporate Counsel, October 31, 2018.
    • Speaker, “Developing Female First-chair Trial Lawyers,” Women in Law & Leadership Summit, Boston, MA, November 16, 2017.
    • Author, “A BigLaw Ladies' Guide to Becoming a 1st-Chair Trial Lawyer,” Law360, October 2017. Awarded 2018 Burton Award for Distinguished Writing, co-sponsored by The American Bar Association and Law360.
    • Author, “How Big Firms Can Foster, Develop Female First-Chair Trial Lawyers,” Corporate Counsel, September 2017.
    • Quoted, “3 Key Lessons for Legal Departments from Hobby Lobby's Settlement,” Corporate Counsel, July 2017.
    • Author, “Closing Arguments in Complex Cases,” ABA's The Woman Advocate, August 2015.
    • Interviewed, “Squire's Rathke Co-leads Venture to Trial Win,” Inside Counsel Magazine, June 2015.
    • Presenter, “The Importance of Verdict Forms to Trial Strategy,” DRI Women in the Law Annual Conference, February 2015.
    • Author, “Presenting Technical Information to the Factfinder,” DRI Publication, The Voice, February 2015.
    • Interviewed, “Legal Eagle and the Coach,” January 2015.
    • Author, “The Rise of Women Trial Lawyers,” For the Defense (DRI), April 2014.
    • Co-author, “Sixth Circuit Update,” The Business Suit (DRI), February 2014.
    • Author, “Toward a More Rational and Cost-effective Corporate Litigation Philosophy,” Cleveland Bar Journal, November 2012.
    • Co-author, “Presenting Bankruptcy Concepts to Juries,” The Bankruptcy Strategist, October 2011.
    • Author, “Serving Non-US Civil Defendants With Process; There May Be an Easier Way,” Cleveland Bar Journal, November 2007.

    Supply Chain

    • Editor, Squire Patton Boggs-affiliated supply chain blog, www.globalsupplychainlawblog.com.
    • Co-author, Legal Blacksmith: How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes, 2016.
    • Co-author, “Council on Supply Chain Resilience Tasked with Strengthening Domestic Supply Chains And Limiting Reliance on Foreign Medical Supplies,” National Law Review, December 5, 2023.
    • Co-author, “Canada’s Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act Goes Into Effect Soon,” National Law Review, November 20, 2023.
    • Co-author, “Countdown to Compliance with European Union’s Deforestation Regulation,” National Law Review, November 14, 2023.
    • Author, "Supply Chain Dispute Resolution in the US," Practical Law Journal, August 2023.
    • Co-author, “Changes To ‘De Minimis’ Shipping Will Likely Have Effects Beyond China And Russia,” National Law Review, July 13, 2023.
    • Co-author, “How IPEF Builds On Prior Trade Relationships Negotiated By The Biden Administration,” Lexology, June 8, 2023.
    • Co-author, “Aluminum Is Now A Hot Topic In Supply Chain And Trade,” National Law Review, March 2, 2023.
    • Co-author, “How A Michigan Case Could Upend Auto Part Contracts,” Law360, November 22, 2022.
    • Interviewed, “Sarah K. Rathke on baby formula shortages in the US,” China Global Television Network, June 21, 2022.
    • Co-author, “CBP Issues Operational Importer Guidance Relating to UFLPA,” National Law Review, June 14, 2022.
    • Quoted, “New Ocean Shipping Regs on Deck, But Inland Woes Persist,” Law360, June 14, 2022.
    • Panelist, “Reconfiguring Supply Chains Post-Covid-19 and Legal Implications,” NYU Journal of Law & Business, Spring Conference, March 25, 2022.
    • Panelist, “Supply Chain Litigation: Mitigating Risks via Contracts,” Stafford Webinar, March 15, 2022.
    • Co-author, “Supply Chain Investigations and US Legal Privilege,” The National Law Review, March 11, 2022.
    • Co-author, “Establishing Rules of the Road – DHS Soliciting Comments to Support UFLPA Implementation,” The National Law Review, January 28, 2022.
    • Presenter, “Why Is Everything Broken? Understanding Pandemic Supply Chains,” Thompson Reuters/West, December 20, 2021.
    • Presenter, “Webinar: Why Is Everything Broken? Understanding Supply Chains in 2021,” New Possibilities Hour (benefitting the Cleveland Food Bank), December 9, 2021.
    • Author, Op-Ed, “Why Are Supply Chains Broken? Blame the ‘Black Swan’ Tsunami,” Cleveland.com, December 8, 2021.
    • Interviewed, “Talking Supply Chain Podcast: The Legal Blacksmith,” Supply Chain Management Review, November 30, 2021.
    • Interviewed, “AI Fixes for Supply Chain Logjams Carry Legal Risks,” Reuters, November 18, 2021.
    • Interviewed, “Squire Patton Boggs Litigator and Supply Chain Expert Sarah Rathke on the ‘Mess All Over the System,’” American Lawyer Litigation Daily, October 20, 2021.
    • Quoted, “Supplier Contracts Get Revamped After Covid-19 Disruptions,” The Wall Street Journal, September 23, 2021.
    • Quoted, “The Monumental Challenge of Delivering a Vaccine Globally,” Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide, August 31, 2021.
    • Co-author, “Congress Takes Aim at Uyghur Forced Labor,” The National Law Review, August 3, 2021.
    • Interviewed, “The Pandemic and Supply Chains: One Year On,” SupplyChainBrain, June 24, 2021.
    • Co-author, “Strategies for Responding to Withhold Release Orders,” Inside Supply Management, May 3, 2021.
    • Co-author, “Congress Contemplates National Manufacturing Guard Act of 2021,” The National Law Review, March 25, 2021.
    • Co-author, “Trend Alert: Increased US Oversight of Forced Labor in Supply Chains,” The National Law Review, March 17, 2021.
    • Co-author, “Germany Considers Enacting First-ever Law Requiring Companies to Both Monitor And Control Supply Chain Practices,” The National Law Review, March 8, 2021.
    • Webinar Panelist, “Need to Know: A Supply Chain Reality Check: Why Asian supply chains will remain difficult,” CompanyWeek, February 18, 2021.
    • Quoted, “Biden Invokes DPA to Combat Supply Shortages, But Experts Say It’s No ‘Magic Wand,’” Supply Chain Dive, January 26, 2021.
    • Quoted, “China and US Face ‘Reckoning’ Over Trade Disruptions in 2021,” DC Velocity, January 18, 2021.
    • Co-author, “Supply Chain Sustainability,” Lexis PSL, December 2020.
    • Quoted, “After Botched Covid Response, UK Tackles Giant Vaccine Rollout,” The New York Times, December 7, 2020.
    • Author, “Addressing COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Chain Challenges,” The National Law Review, November 18, 2020.
    • Co-author, “The Legal Implications of Mobile Health Advancements,” Law360, November 5, 2020.
    • Author, “Key Gov’t Tools for Addressing National PPE Shortages,” Law360, October 27, 2020.
    • Quoted, “Vetting suppliers during a pandemic,” Compliance and Ethics Professional, September 17, 2020.
    • Interviewed, “The Delicate Balance of Negotiations with Scotwork, Squire Patton Boggs,” Supply & Demand Chain Executive, August 18, 2020.
    • Presenter, “The Legal Aspects of Supplier Relationship Management Post COVID-19,” International Supply Management, Cleveland, OH, June 18, 2020.
    • Webinar Speaker, “Opportunity & Transformation Around the Digital Supply Chain,” Thomson Reuters, May 19, 2020.
    • Co-author, “Global Supply Chains in the Wake of COVID-19 in Socially Critical Industries – Is It Time to Reshore?” The National Law Review, April 30, 2020.
    • Co-author, “Pandemic May Spur Better Protection for Auto Supply Chains,” Law360, April 8, 2020.
    • Co-author, “Business Health Now Means Access to Capital,” Recovery News, March 30, 2020.
    • Quoted, “What Procurement Managers Should Expect From a ‘Bullwhip on Crack,’” Supply Chain Dive, March 26, 2020.
    • Quoted, “COVID-19, One Year Later: How Supply Chains Got Familiar With ‘Force Majeure,’” Supply & Demand Chain Executive, March 26, 2020.
    • Presenter, “COVID-19 Outbreak – Legal and Commercial Risks for Your Global Business to Consider,” Lexology, March 24, 2020.
    • Interviewed, “Coronavirus and Global Supply Chains: A Shock to the System,” SupplyChainBrain, March 20, 2020.
    • Co-author, “Prepare for Coronavirus-Related Restructuring Issues,” Law360, March 19, 2020.
    • Interviewed, “How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes,” Women And Manufacturing (Episode 97), February 25, 2020.
    • Quoted, “US Launches Forced Labor Enforcement Initiative,” Material Handling & Logistics, December 11, 2019.
    • Quoted, “Walmart Launches ‘World’s Largest’ Blockchain-Based Freight-and-Payment Network,” ComputerWorld, November 19, 2019.
    • Quoted, “Law Firm Highlights Legal Complexities in US Supply Chain,” Riviera, November 1, 2019.
    • Co-author, “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Supply Chain Management Review, October 28, 2019.
    • Co-author, “Offshore Wind: Getting Your Supply Chain Right,” The National Law Review, October 11, 2019.
    • Author, “President Trump Signs Memo Focused on Combating Counterfeit Goods, Impacting Supply Chains,” The National Law Review, April 15, 2019.
    • Author, “When Politics Affects Supply Chains,” The National Law Review, April 5, 2019.
    • Presenter, “Supply Chains: How to Identify, Avoid, and Manage High-Stakes Disputes,” National Contract Management Association, SubCon Training Workshops, Tysons, VA, March 28, 2019.
    • Quoted, “Human Trafficking Case Could Increase Supply Chain Stress,” Bloomberg Law, November 2018.
    • Presenter, “Avoiding, Defending, and Managing High-Stakes Supply Chain Disputes,” NCMA World Congress 2018, Cleveland, OH, July 23, 2018.
    • Panelist, “Legal Tech in Practice: Supply Chain,” Legal Tech Link, March 2018.
    • Presenter, “Avoiding, Defending, and Managing High-Stakes Supply Chain Disputes,” Government Contract Management Symposium, Washington, DC, December 4-5, 2017.
    • Presenter, “Excelling with Negotiation and Coordination Procurement Strategies in the Digital Age,” Conference: Procurement 2018 and Beyond, New York, NY, November 14-15, 2017.
    • Quoted, “3 Key Lessons for Legal Departments from Hobby Lobby’s $3 Million Antiquities Settlement,” Corporate Counsel, July 10, 2017.
    • Co-author, “Big Data, Big Benefits – And a Ton of Risk for Your Supply Chain Contracts,” IACCM, May 2017.
    • Quoted, “Channel Marketing: It's Not Sold Until It's Sold at Retail,” Talking Cloud, April 2017.
    • Speaker, “Conscious Supply Chains, Ensuring Conflict-Free, Harmonious, and Ethical Supply Chains,” Conscious Capitalism Annual Conference, April 2017.
    • Interview, “New Supply-Chain Insights, New Supply-Chain Lawsuits,” SmartIndustry, November 2016.
    • Presenter, “Emerging Trends,” SEC Hot Topics Conference, November 2016.
    • Speaker, “Driving Innovation in Supply Chain Relationships and Contracts,” IACCM 2016/2017 Americas Conference, October 2016.
    • Presenter, “How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes,” EFMA Annual Conference on Supply Chain Risks and Emerging Markets, October 2016.
    • Book Review, “Legal Blacksmith: How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes,” Spend Matters, July 2016.
    • Presenter, “Reducing Liability Risks,” SC Tech Conference and Expo, July 2016.
    • Presenter, “Negotiating Long-Term Requirements Contracts with Suppliers,” Clear Law Institute, June 2016.
    • Interviewed, “Interview With the Authors of Legal Blacksmith,” Buyers Meet Point, June 2016.
    • Author, “6 Tips for Solving Supply-Chain Problems Before They Become Crises,” Chief Executive, May 2016.
    • Presenter, “Reducing Legal Risks,” Canadian Institute's 6th Conference on Supply Chain Management, May 2016.
    • Interviewed, SupplyChainBrain, March 2016.
    • Quoted, “New Federal Law Cracks Down on Child and Forced Labor,” Corporate Counsel, February 2016.
    • Co-author, “Complying With Transparency Requirements in Procurement and Avoiding Legal Pitfalls,” ACC Docket, January/February 2016.
    • Book Review, “Contracts That Underwrite Relationship Harmony,” SCM World, January 2016.
    • Quoted, “Slavery Labels Sought for US Goods as SEC Reporting Law Mulled,” Chicago Tribune, December 2015.
    • Quoted, “These Lawyers Want Slave Labor Warnings on Your Cat Food,” Bloomberg Business, December 2015.
    • Interviewed, “New UK. Law Turns Up Heat on Human Trafficking Transparency,” Compliance Weekly, September 2015.
    • Interviewed, “California Transparency Act Lawsuit Could Be First of Many,” Inside Counsel, September 2015.
    • Interviewed, “Supplier Relationship Management: 10 Ways to Build Strong Bonds with Vendors,” Vend, September 2015.
    • Interviewed, “Complaints Targeting Companies for Slave Labor Use May Be Start of a Trend,” Daily Journal, September 2015.
    • Author, “The Legal Side of Achieving Visibility in the Supply Chain,” Institute for Supply Management, August 2015.
    • Author, “Supply Chain Dispute Resolution in the US,” Practical Law, July 2015.
    • Co-author, “Doing Business with the USA,” Operations Management, June 2015.
    • Interviewed, “Chain of Ethics,” Inside Counsel, May 2015.
    • Interviewed, “What OEMs Need to Know About Reshoring Manufacturing and Their Supply Chains,” B2B News Network, April 2015.
    • Interviewed, “Lessons From an Apple Supplier Debacle,” Supply Chain Brain, March 2015.
    • Interviewed, “Buyer Beware,” Florida Business Observer, March 2015.
    • Interviewed, “Forging an Ethical Supply Chain,” Inside Counsel, March 2015.
    • Interviewed, “How to Hammer Out Supply Chain Disputes,” Inside Counsel, March 2015.
    • Interviewed, “How Climate Change Will Affect Supply Chain Management,” B2B News Network, February 2015.
    • Co-author, “Three Legal Challenges When Dealing with US Suppliers,” Supply Management, February 2015.
    • Interviewed, “Legal Advice; Developing Successful Supply Chain Relationships,” Talking Logistics, February 2015.
    • Interviewed, “Avoiding and Defending Supply Chain Disputes,” The Core Business Show with Tim Jacquet, January 2015.
    • Author, “Discovery and the Complex Supply Chain Dispute,” The Business Suit (DRI), December 2014.

    Other

    • Podcast guest, “What’s the DEIL; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Leadership,” powered by The Norfus Firm, March 28, 2023.
    • Co-author, “Name, Image & Likeness: New Class Action Could Determine Whether NIL Activities are Subject to US Federal Law Prohibiting Sex Discrimination In Education,” Lexology, January 2024.

    • Member, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), an international, invitation-only organization of defense-oriented litigators and trial lawyers whose mission is supporting and developing the legal profession
    • Member, Defense Research Institute
    • Member, Ohio State Bar Association Grievance Committee, which works to maintain professional and ethical standards in the legal profession in the State of Ohio  
    • Former trustee, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation
    • Former chair, Board of Advisors of the American Constitution Society (Northeast Ohio Chapter), an organization dedicated to expressing and advancing a progressive approach to law and politics
    • Former board member, Cleveland International Film Festival
    • Former board member, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
    • Member, Court of Nisi Prius, an invitational social club of lawyers and judges

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